Venue: Anfield - LiverpoolCrowd: 41,194 Referee: Lee Probert Yellow cards:LIV - nil WBA - nil Red card:WBA - James Morrison 86'
The only goal of the contest came just after the hour-mark when Spanish striker Fernando Torres linked up well with Dutchman Dirk Kuyt down the left flank before shifting and shooting past Baggies keeper Scott Carson to give Liverpool the lead.
The visitors tried valiantly to get back into proceedings but it was made tough when James Morrison was shown a red card for his lunge at Torres with four minutes remaining.
LIV Pepe Reina (gk), Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson, Christian Poulsen, Lucas, Milan Jovanovic (Rodriguez 60'), Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres (Babel 89'), Steven Gerrard
Subs - Brad Jones (gk), Maxi Rodriguez (60'), Ryan Babel (89'), Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Dani Pacheco, Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly
WBA Scott Carson (gk), Jonas Olsson, Gabriel Tamas, Nicky Shorey, Gonzalo Jara, Graham Dorrans (Tchoyi 76'), James Morrison, Youssuf Mulumbu, Chris Brunt, Peter Odemwingie, Marc-Antoine Fortune (Wood 82')